jillwith3

Thanks for the welcome! I knew I would open up a can of worms LOL! I am not against learning about other cultures and traditions that go with that particular culture, but when other ethnics groups come in and demand things change to suit their needs, then yes, I am unhappy about that. Nobody commented on the ceremonial dagger situation, which surprised me. I suppose it is because the reasoning behind it is the same as the RCMP officer. Sorry mixing up Muslim with Sikh in the RCMP. And no I don't really care whether I get pulled over by a guy wearing a turban or not...it's that the rules had to bend to suit one person, regardless of his/her religion that bothers me. I don't find that a valid reason. I'm a Catholic, but that doesn't mean that I follow every doctrine of the church. I guess I am not as devout! As for prayer in school, I never asked that it make a comeback, but it is just one thing that has changed since we became 'multicultural' for fear of offending others(and my kids do attend a Catholic school). As for being part Irish, I don't recall any Irish immigrants coming to Canada and demanded change to benefit them, at least in recent years. When my great-grandparents immigrated from Belgium, they learned how to speak English, went to English speaking school and followed the Canadian laws. They were, however, Christian so they blended in that way. But they didn't go out there and demand Belgian schools and sing the Belgian national athem when the Canadian national athem is sung. Like I've said before, there is nothing wrong with celebrating and learning about other cultures, but it is always at the expense of our own. We focus so much on teaching about other celebrations, like Kwanzaa, etc., that we spend very little time on our own or not at all, all in the name of 'multiculuralism'. I'm glad I still live in rural Ontario where Canadian traditions and holidays, such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter, can still bring a thrill to my own kids without offending anyone. And I'm not saying these holidays are not celebrated in cities. I've taught in London, ON and in the public school system, these holidays were a big NO-NO. What about the students of Christian background? Aren't these students being deprived, at least educationally, to celebrate traditons and holidays that have been celebrated in Canada for years? Running off on a tangent here and going to end...for the moment! jbq~ I can't believe those teachers didn't know that! Actually, I have a minor in history so I know exactly whom and where you're talking about! Heck, I even know a little about a certain U. Grant and General Robert E. Lee! LOL!

I usually avoid these topics because they tend to rip open sores even further...the sores being 'immigration' and 'multiculturalism'. While I am very tolerant of other ethnic groups and have friends that have immigrated to Canada from various Asian and European nations, I am not so tolerant when it comes to Canada or Canadians having to adapt or change our customs and policies to suit these other groups. I am a sixth generation Irishwoman and a third generation Belgian born here in Canada. Am I proud of my country? You bet! Has my family or myself ever demanded that our traditions and beliefs be pursued by other Canadians? No. Do we celebrate Irish customs or Belgian customs outside of our own homes? No. What angers me and so many of my fellow friends (we've talked at length about this) is that many ethnic cultures insist that their customs be allowed here in Canada and the changes are allowed because to do otherwise would be 'racist' or 'judgemental'. When the Muslim wanted to wear a turban when he joined the RCMP, he was allowed to do so even though it is not an official part of the uniform. When the teenager wanted to wear his ceremonial sword to high-school even though it is against the law to bring weapons to school, he could because of his religion. IT IS NOT ALL RIGHT!! I am all for teaching different religious holidays at Christmas because the students do learn a lot about other cultures and their celebrations, but at the same time, we are supposed to ignore the Christian Christmas for fear of offending other ethnic groups. What about the Lord's Prayer in all schools? Once again, the fear of offending someone. Where will all this end? We have become so sensitive to others' traditions and customs that we are slowly giving up our own. I'm sorry, but if you come to Canada, you become a Canadian! I don't consider myself an Irish-Canadian or a Belgian-Canadian, but a CANADIAN! I'm sure some will snap at me...I don't mean to offend...it's just the way I feel about 'multiculturism' and 'immigration'.

Land claims aside...this is what angers me the most of all the 'native affairs'. Example 1~ My husband's cousin is 1/4 native (You wouldn't even know it; she has blond hair and blue eyes.) When it was time for her to attend a post-secondary institution, she went and applied for her status card. (She also applied for one behind her father's back and he was quite angry with her for this.) Hence she received a free post-secondary education. She does not live on a reserve; she has her own license business and owns a beautiful house...easy to do at 28 years old when you don't have any student loans to pay back or taxes to pay. Example #2~ My mother's friend is also 1/4 native making her daughter 1/8 native. Her daughter will be attending a post-secondary institution in the next two years. You guessed it...gone to apply for that status card to get that free education. Must be nice to graduate from university or college free from debt. When does it end? I don't think that program is benefitting any FULL blooded native who lives on the reserve. They only ones that are benefitting from that are the 1/4, 1/8 and so on 'natives' who don't even live on the reserve and who, in my opinion, should live on the reserve if they want their native 'status'. Absolute bs! I suppose that in the event that any land claims or settlements are made, these people will also benefit? I certainly hope not...probably sitting at home just waiting to hear the good news. (Meanwhile, I am still paying back loans from my five years of univerity after five years!)

As a teacher with a full-time contract with a board in Ontario, I can fully assure you that teachers who are full time are not eligible for EI benefits in the summer. As if... Substitute teachers are eligible for EI in the summer months as they are not on a contract, hence do not receive a salary and are paid on a per day basis when they are called in to teach. Part time teachers...I'm not sure because they are still on salary from the board, but only on a part time basis. I don't think they would be eligible for EI. Most teachers that I know who are substitute also try to teach summer school.